Sugar Ray— a veteran band of 30 years hailing from Orange County, Calif. and known for producing hits like, “Fly,” “Every Morning,” “When It’s Over” and “Someday”—will perform live at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 in downtown Galveston’s Saengerfest Park on the Budweiser Stage during the kick-off weekend of Mardi Gras! Galveston. Sugar Ray pulls an eclectic influence ranging from The Beatles, to The Beach Boys and even Bob Marley.

Texas country music stars Stoney LaRue & Mike Ryan will bring soulful sounds to the Budweiser Stage Friday, Feb. 24 to kick off the second weekend of Mardi Gras! Galveston. LaRue has sold more than 300,000 records and Ryan is famed for multiple hits on the Texas Music Charts. Stoney LaRue will give an opening performance at 8:30 p.m. before headliner Mike Ryan takes the stage at 10:30 p.m. The Budweiser stage is located at the corner of Strand and 23rd streets.

In addition, a new Fiesta Gras area has been added to the festival which will feature Tejano music, including headline performances by La Mafia Sunday, Feb. 19. The four-time Grammy Award-winning group, whose roots began in Houston, has produced 38 albums recognized worldwide. The Fiesta Gras area will be located in the downtown entertainment district at the corner of 22nd and Strand streets.

For lovers of electronic dance music, “Electric Mardi Gras” will return to downtown Galveston. This area will provide one big party with continuous concerts, beat-thumping DJs and laser light shows on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the celebration. This year’s Electric Mardi Gras headliners include Bright Lights and TropKillaz on Saturday, Feb. 18.

More than 30 concerts will take place during Galveston’s two-week-long Mardi Gras event. In addition to live entertainment, the festival will feature 22 parades, 20 balcony parties and several elegant balls.

Concert admissions are included in the general admission price to enter the Mardi Gras! Galveston downtown entertainment district. Discounted tickets are available online for $11.50 each until Feb. 1. Tickets will be $20 at the gate.

About Mardi Gras! Galveston
Mardi Gras, the traditional festival of feasting and merrymaking that precedes the season of Lent, was first publicly observed on Galveston Island in 1867. Following a sabbatical imposed in 1941 by war and challenging times, Mardi Gras! Galveston was revived in 1985 by Galveston-born preservationist and developer George P. Mitchell. The largest celebration of its kind in Texas and the third largest in the nation, Mardi Gras! Galveston brings the island’s streets to life with parade viewers shouting for beads, lively tunes played by the colorful marching bands, and the infectious merriment that dominates the island for two full weeks.